Activision Gets Spider-Man 3 Game Deal

Activision Inc. has announced that, through a licensing agreement with Spider-Man Merchandising (a 50/50 limited partnership comprised of Marvel Enterprises Inc. and Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc.), the company will develop and publish videogames based on the 2007 feature film SPIDER-MAN 3. Activision is currently developing console and PC games based on SPIDER-MAN 2 that are scheduled for release in North America timed to the film's launch on June 30, 2004.

Under a separate agreement with Marvel Enterprises, Activision also holds the exclusive rights to the classic SPIDER-MAN comic book character. The company intends to release a game based on the 40-plus year history of the comic during 2005. Under Activision, the SPIDER-MAN franchise has already generated approximately $245 million in revenues in the U.S., according to NPD.

"Activision is very excited to further expand its licensing agreement with Spider-Man Merchandising, L.P. on the third installment in the blockbuster series," said Ron Doornink, ceo of Activision Publishing Inc. "We expect that our upcoming SPIDER-MAN 2 and SPIDER-MAN 3 videogames will continue building on the success we have already experienced with the franchise. SPIDER-MAN has proven to be one of the most popular video game properties in the world. We expect that our future titles based on the brand will continue to top consumers' most wanted lists every year."

Tim Rothwell, president of Marvel Worldwide Consumer Media Group, added, "Activision has been an amazing partner and great addition to the SPIDER-MAN franchise. They truly understand the basic essence that makes Spider-Man one of the most popular characters in the world and continue to translate this into engaging and entertaining interactive content. The bar has been raised with each introduction of the character and we're excited to see what they develop for the third installment."

"SPIDER-MAN 3, with its great cast of characters and an unbelievable arsenal of weapons, has all the components for a very exciting video game," said Al Ovadia, Spider-Man Merchandising L.P. "And we're sure that Activision, the leader in the interactive category, will develop a game that is as action-packed and exciting as the motion picture."

With a library of more than 4,700 proprietary characters, Marvel Enterprises is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused in four areas: entertainment (Marvel Studios), licensing, comic book publishing and toys (Toy Biz). For more information, visit www.marvel.com.

Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP), based in Los Angeles and London, handles the merchandising and branding efforts for Sony Pictures Ent. (SPE), whose global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, operation of studio facilities, development of new entertainment technologies and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. For more information, visit www.sony.com.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia and the Netherlands. More information can be located at www.activision.com.